Sister Madeline Swaboski, IHM
Sister Madeline Swaboski, IHM, (formerly known as Sister Stanley Marie) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, January 2, 2022, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She was born on October 30, 1943, in Exeter, PA; and given the name Magdalene. She was the daughter of the late Stanley and Sophie Zielinski Swaboski. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1961, and made her temporary profession of vows on June 26, 1964, and her final profession of vows on June 26, 1969.
Sister Madeline served as a teacher in the following schools: Dunmore Central Catholic High School in Dunmore, PA, from 1966 to 1970; St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Dunmore, PA, from 1970 to 1972; St. Dominic Elementary School in Oyster Bay, NY, from 1972 to 1974; St. Rosalia Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1976 to 1983; and St. Rose High School in Carbondale, PA, from 1986 to 1991.
Sister Madeline also served as volunteer coordinator at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, PA, from 1974 to 1976; parish assistant and teacher of religious education at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Vestal, NY, from 1983 to 1986 and 1991 to 1999; director of religious education at St. Rose Church in Carbondale, PA, from 1986 to 1991; receptionist/school secretary at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, MD, from 2000 to 2004; administrative assistant at the Mother Lange Guild Office of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, in Baltimore, MD, from 2004 to 2009; chaplain associate at Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Baltimore, MD, from 2009 to 2013; instructor at Educational Enrichment Institute at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 2017 to 2021; volunteer at the St. Joseph’s Center Baby Pantry in Dunmore, PA, from 2017 to 2020; and volunteer receptionist at Trinity Day Care in Dunmore, PA, in 2020.
From 2021 until the time of her death, Sister Madeline was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
Sister Madeline served on the Board of the Mother Lange Guild and was devoted to its cause of advancing the canonization of, Servant of God, Mother Mary Lange.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Marywood College; a Master of Science degree in education from the University of Scranton; and a Master of Science degree in religious education from Marywood College.
She is preceded in death by a sister, Violet Fox.
She is survived by two sisters, Theresa A. Murphy of Clarks Summit, PA; and Carol A. Van Fleet of Dalton, PA; nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews. She is also survived by the members of the IHM Congregation.
Interment will be at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Due to restrictions related to the coronavirus, the funeral mass and graveside service are private.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
Prayer of Remembrance and Funeral: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/131260520
Sister Madeline Swaboski, IHM
Funeral Eulogy, Saturday, January 8, 2022
by Sister Mary Reap, IHM, Leadership Team
Today, we remember Madeline’s deceased parents, Sophie and Stanley, and her sister Violet, who welcomed Madeline home last Sunday for a joyful reunion. Madeline was loved by her family and her students, patients, coworkers, and the IHM Associates with whom she worked and shared her life. She developed a special bond with our Oblate sisters during the years she spent living and working with them on the cause of beatification for Mother Mary Lange. We welcome the Oblate sisters present on Livestream today. I cannot imagine that Mother Lange was not there on Sunday to join in the reunion and receive Madeline into the arms of God.
Sister Madeline entered the congregation a little more than 60 years ago, on September 8, 1961, a time of tremendous change and upheaval in society and the Church. It was a time of change that tested the faith of many; however, not that of Sr. Madeline. During that tumultuous time and for 58 years as a professed member of the congregation, Sr. Madeline served her God and her congregation in many ministries in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, with faithfulness, generosity, and love.
One cannot capture the essence of a lifetime in a few words, but perhaps the words on an embroidered pillow in Sister’s room catch the spirit that guided her life. It reads simply: Live well, laugh often, love much. Madeline did just that. She lived well, she laughed often, and she loved much.
Madeline was inspired to live these words because she had heard the Word of God and staked her life on it. That Word now beckons her home to eternal life.
Rest in peace, dear Madeline.
